Bernie Ecclestone claims F1 sprinkler system likely as support grows for novel idea

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone insists his idea to spice up races by introducing fake rain has not been hung out to dry.

In the run-up to Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, Ecclestone claims his plan to turn on sprinklers randomly is gaining backers.

'I thought maybe at the beginning it was a little bit crazy,' said Ecclestone. 'But it is surprising how much support it is getting now because, provided we do it so that nobody knows when it is going to happen, like when it rains, I think it will make a lot of entertainment.

Better, apparently: Bernie Ecclestone claims to have lots of support within F1 for the installation of a sprinkler system

'Whether or not it will make it more exciting, we don't know. Until you have done these things it is impossible to say.'

Paul Hembrey, motorsport director of F1 tyre supplier Pirelli, has offered his support, claiming, 'The idea is not as daft as it sounds.'

Former driver Johnny Herbert backed the idea, saying: 'Many of the
best races in the past few years have been when it has rained.'

However, Red Bull's Mark Webber is against it. 'No and no,' he said.

Rain on his parade: Drivers have criticised the plan, claiming it is dangerous

'It can be more exciting when we have some different weather conditions but just think of Jimmy Clark and Jackie Stewart and (Ayrton) Senna and those guys, masters in the wet. Jackie's still here but the other two would be turning in their graves if they thought we'd have sprinklers and hoses around the track.'

Ecclestone will not be in Melbourne amid speculation that the Grand Prix in Albert Park could be axed. Instead, he will be in New York to discuss holding a street race on Staten Island.

Ecclestone also suggested McLaren's English duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button could 'struggle' this season.

McLaren
have been off the pace of front-runners Red Bull and Ferrari in
practice, with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix set to take
place in Melbourne on Sunday

Ecclestone said: 'Lewis and Jenson are going to have a bit of a struggle this year I think, but having said that, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and any of the other top guys will have a problem.

'It won't be easy, I don't think anyone is going to walk away with it. A lot of these things depend on the car.

'I have no doubt in my mind that both Jenson and Lewis will perform very, very well, if the car is capable of doing that.

'As drivers they are both capable of winning the championship and they have done in the the past.'

Making history: Jenson Button has become the first driver to tackle Australia's iconic Mount Panorama circuit in an F1 car

The Red Bulls of Germany's defending champion Sebastian Vettel and
Australian Webber have impressed pre-season and Ecclestone tipped them
to be the team to beat once again.

'Looking at it now you would have to say one of the Red Bull guys will be champion or Alonso but as I said, it won't be easy.'

Meanwhile Button has made motor sport history by becoming the first
driver to tackle Australia's iconic Mount Panorama circuit in a Formula
One car.

Special event: In the McLaren MP4-23, the model that carried Lewis Hamilton to F1 title-winning success in 2008, Button completed five laps

Button took part in the special event alongside five-times Bathurst
champion Craig Lowndes, and in fulfiling a boyhood dream, it failed to
disappoint.

In the McLaren MP4-23, the model that carried Lewis Hamilton to F1
title-winning success in 2008, Button completed five laps prior to a
spin in a car more traditionally seen at Bathurst, a V8.

'This is an iconic race track and it's great to celebrate the unofficial fastest lap in an F1 car,' said Button.

'That was phenomenal. It was such a rush. It's just a pity I didn't have more laps to test it out.'

As for the V8, Button enjoyed the feeling so much he now has the taste for more.